As far as the idea of NCLB being "a bad one" or not, and even before you get to the myriad possible local implementations, any federal mandate that does not come with funds to implement same IS a bad idea.

I don't have specifics on the impact on local school districts but can tell you that every teacher and administrator I've ever discussed this with hates it -- they are forced to use precious class time to teach to the tests (although officially, they can't/shouldn't do that) AND they are also forced to use precious class time to administer the tests.

And, while I won't argue that gifted children are much more likely to be lost in the associated shuffle on this, it seems to me quite rare the instances where low-performing kids actually benefit (and rarer still the kids with disabilities who benefit.) Any (and ALL) success related to this program is due to individual teachers and their supportive administrators who have the brains, time, motivation, inspiration and will to improve their kid's lots.

At the risk of sounding like an NEA mouthpiece, I think the main problem is that, as a society, we don't truly value education and don't give it or the educators the respect (and compensation) they deserve. Until more people are motivated to become educators, the pool of inspired/inspiring individuals is just too small to go around and avoid quick burnout.